Dale Steyn joins Melbourne Stars for six games in BBL 2019-20

The BBL 2019/20 start from 17th December, 2019.

Dale Steyn | GettySouth Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn is the latest cricketer to join the Big Bash League 2019-20 season, as he has been signed up by Melbourne Stars. He will be available for six games at the start of the tournament.

Before Steyn, Chris Morris and AB de Villiers have already joined Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat respectively. Dale Steyn had called time to his Test career in August after a slew of injuries taking a toll on his body and in an effort to continue as a limited-overs specialist. However, he wasn’t chosen for the T20I series against India recently.

It's something that I've wanted to do for a while, play Big Bash. Unfortunately representing the Proteas for the bulk of my career over Christmas time we've always got Test matches on, the Boxing Day and New Year's Test matches. So I haven't been available. But since retiring from Test cricket, it's opened up a little window for me while the Proteas play red-ball cricket,” Steyn said.

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Steyn is yet to play top-flight cricket since injuring his shoulder in IPL 2019, which ruled him out of the World cup as well. He is currently looking forward to playing for Cape Town Blitz in the Mzansi Super League, which begins in November.

Talking about his fitness, Steyn said, "The biggest relief off my shoulders was when I retired from Test cricket and I knew I didn't have to bowl 40 overs in a Test anymore. It was amazing. All the training that I'm currently doing right now, it's to bowl only 24 balls. When I put that into comparison to what I've done over the last 15 years of my career it really is pretty easy."  

Steyn is looking forward to playing BBL in order to prepare for men's T20 World Cup in October next year. South Africa's next ODI is February 4 against England with the T20Is starting on February 12 and Steyn is likely to be needed in South Africa prior to preparing for that series if selected.

The Stars' first game of the BBL is on December 20, against the Heat at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, and Steyn is expected to be available for that match.

(ESPNCricinfo inputs)

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 08 Oct, 2019

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